You don’t have gas? There’s no need to worry, electric stoves will completely change the way you cook. Learn what to expect when switching from gas to electric if you’re in the market for a new stove but aren’t sure whether to go the conventional route or try something new. Let’s take a look at the different types of cooktops available. Gas, electric, and induction are the three main types.
A gas stove is powered by flammable gas from a cylinder or pipeline. On the other hand, electric stoves do not produce a flame and generate heat through electricity. As a final note, an induction cooktop is a variation of an electric stove that heats the vessels by passing an electromagnetic current through them. You should choose a stove based on your lifestyle and requirements. Cooking delicious food relies mostly on your skills, but tools and equipment play a big role as well, so choose wisely.
If an electric stove is what you’re considering, here’s everything you should know before making your decision:
How Do Electric Stoves Work?
In electric stoves, a flattened spiral coil heats up when an electric current passes through it. In spite of the lack of flame, you can see the intensity of the electric flow by the glow of the coil. From these coils, heat is directly transferred to your utensils.
In electric stoves, coils may be exposed or hidden under a sheet of glass-ceramic that covers the surface. It works the same way, but heat is first radiated into the glass, and then transferred to the pots and pans.
Because glass-ceramic has low heat conductivity, the heat is localized to the cooking area so the rest of the surface remains relatively cool. Bakers can purchase an electric range that combines an electric stovetop with an attached electric oven.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Easy to clean
- Efficient in terms of energy
- Easy to install and easy to use
- Safer to use since there is no flame
- Sleek look
Cons:
- Food takes longer to cook
- Cools down slowly
- In case of a power outage, it won’t work
- Only works with flat-bottomed cookware
- Cracks and scratches are possible
Reasons Why You Should Buy An Electric Stove
- The flat surface of an electric stove ensures direct contact with the bottom of the utensils, resulting in reduced heat loss to the surroundings and more energy-efficient cooking.
- Electric stoves generate very little ambient heat, so the kitchen remains much cooler.
- Smooth-top electric stoves are extremely easy to clean. Upon cooling, the mess on the stove can be easily wiped away. They also provide a more stable cooking surface for your cookware, making them ideal for amateur cooks.
- Electric stoves are easier to install than gas stoves. Once you plug it into a power outlet, it’s ready to cook.
- Additionally, smooth tops are extremely good looking and sleek, which makes them ideal for modern kitchens.
- Electric stoves are safer than open flames, especially in households with children. You don’t even have to worry about gas leaks.
We also have compiled a guide that will help you choose portable electric stove, if you are looking for the best one.
Things You Should Keep in Mind
- It usually takes more time to cook food on an electric stove than a gas stove. The coil takes a while to heat up, transfer heat to the cookware, and then to the food. Cooking for longer periods of time may also increase electricity bills. Uneven heating is also a common complaint.
- Electric stoves also take a while to cool off after they’re turned off, so make sure you take off your food when you’re finished cooking to avoid overcooking it.
- Be careful not to touch the stove for quite some time after you’ve turned it off to avoid burning yourself.
- Electric stoves have the major downside of not working if there is a power outage at your house.
- In spite of their ease of cleaning, smooth tops are susceptible to scratches and cracks if not properly maintained.
- Cookware with flat bottoms works best with electric stoves.
Electric Stove vs Induction
While smooth tops and induction stoves look similar, their methods of generating heat are very different. In electric stoves, coils heat up and transfer heat to cookware by conduction.
Induction cooktops, however, use electromagnetic energy to generate heat from the cookware itself. As a result, the utensils that generate heat are heated by an alternating current flowing from the stove. This means that even when the stove is on, the cookware is the only thing that gets hot.
There is a drawback to induction cooktops since they only work with iron and stainless steel cookware. Induction cooking is not compatible with aluminum, copper or glass cookware unless they have a magnetic bottom. You might have to buy new cookware along with a new stove.
Compared to gas and electric stoves, induction is also more expensive.
Electric Stove vs Gas Stove
- In Indian households, gas stoves are common. As opposed to electric stoves, where there is no flame, they use flammable gases to generate a flame that heats the cookware.
- The installation of a gas stove requires a gas line and cylinder, making it much more difficult than an electric stove that can be plugged into a power outlet.
- Electric stoves are much more energy efficient than gas stoves. 74% of the energy produced by an electric stove is transferred to the food, compared to 40% on a gas stove.
- Gas stoves are superior in terms of temperature control. Electric stoves don’t react as quickly to temperature changes as gas stoves. Electric stoves also can’t do certain things that a gas stove can do like toasting, flambéing, and charring.
- In contrast, electric stoves are much safer to use than gas stoves since there is no open flame and no possibility of a gas leak. A smooth top electric stove is also much easier to clean than a gas stovetop.
Was this helpful?
Hi there! I’m a food enthusiast and journalist, and I have a real passion for food that goes beyond the kitchen. I love my dream job and I’m lucky enough to be able to share my knowledge with readers of several large media outlets. My specialty is writing engaging food-related content, and I take pride in being able to connect with my audience. I’m known for my creativity in the kitchen, and I’m confident that I can be the perfect guide for anyone looking to take their culinary journey to the next level.
